Homer, The King of Sub-Plot
Homer Simpson, the funniest character in television history, is simply unfunny when he is the focus of an episode. The dad of the Simpson clan is best in small doses, and when you look back on his best moments, the reality of this will stick. "Brush With Greatness", "You Only Move Twice", "Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily", and dozens of other episodes have Homer just a part of the larger plot, and with frequent edits, the obese and hilarious bald man's hilarity stays fresh and doesn't wear thin. For contrast, one only has to look at the episodes of recent seasons - time and time again, from "Take My Wife, Sleaze" to the utter crap of "Homer Vs. Dignity" he hogs the screen for most of the episode, and by halfway into it the stupidity grows tired. Especially in an episode like "Maximum Homerdrive" Homer's jokes become inane and stupid when he is the main plot, and there is not good sub-plot to support him. It's not so much that Homer is best when relegated to the second-tier plot, and only takes up a little bit of screen time; it's that the character suffers when he has nothing else around, and all we see for the same half-hour is Homer acting childish. The "stupid Homer" of the later years of the show isn't even that much worse than his early-seasons version, it's that Homer is focused on more and all the jokes seem to repeat. With characters who seem to create plot as they talk, like Bart and Lisa, there isn't much of a problem when they are focused on too much, but Homer is that rare tv gem so precious and so perfect that to look at him to long is to diminish his glory. So, you writers, take heed - pull Homer back from the spotlight, and he will again be the unfailing comedic marvel he once was.Legal Notice and Disclaimer: "The Simpsons" TM and FOX and its related companies. All rights reserved. This site, its operators, and any content on this site relating to The Simpsons are not authorized by FOX.
